Assistant Professor of Visual & Critical Studies Job at Portland State Universit

Assistant Professor of Visual & Critical Studies

Visual samples should be combined into a single, multipage PDF and include a URL to a single website.

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This is a 1.0 FTE tenure track position that starts 9/16/2026. Review of applications begins on 11/17/2025 and will continue until finalists are identified. We anticipate closing/removing the posting around 01/16/2026. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date: 09/16/2026

Position Number: D99370

Representation: AU – AAUP

Fixed Term End Date: 9 month

Position FTE: 1.0

Term of Service: 9 month

Position Summary

The College of the Arts and the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design at Portland State University invites applications for the Assistant Professor of Visual & Critical Studies, beginning Fall 2026. This is a full‑time, tenure‑track (1.0 FTE, 9‑month) position.

The Art Practice area offers an interdisciplinary education in contemporary art and socially engaged practice. Our students are passionate about exploring the cultural meanings through a diverse array of visual media and critical approaches that connect to social, economic, and material circumstances. Students pursue BA or BS in Art & Design, BFA in Art Practice, and MFA in Art & Social Practice.

We seek a dynamic and innovative scholar‑practitioner who will support our undergraduate and graduate students in Art Practice to foster a contextual understanding of their practice in settings beyond the classroom. The ideal candidate will foster interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary, and post‑disciplinary inquiry with a commitment to accessibility and social engagement. The candidate will also demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and mentoring students working across media in rigorous academic and creative practices. We are particularly interested in candidates whose work addresses global approaches to visual literacy and relational aesthetics.

Faculty Responsibilities

Instructional Activities

• The typical teaching load is 28 credits (about 7 classes) per year, assigned across three quarters.
• Advise and mentor undergraduate and/or graduate students with an emphasis on equity and access.

Research/Scholarly Activities

• Maintain ongoing creative research or professional practice at local, national, and international scales.

University Service Activities

School

• Participate in program and curricular development, focusing on courses that foster a contextual understanding of practice beyond the classroom.
• Serve in coordinator roles responsible for key administrative duties within Art Practice.
• Collaborate across disciplines within the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design and the broader university.

University

• Participate on university committees as required.

Professional Service Activities

• Participate in program activities and community outreach, especially those aligned with visual literary and critical inquiry.

Primary Activity

• Instructional

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA or PhD in Art, Design, Visual Studies, or related field (terminal degree).
• An active creative practice with evidence of professional accomplishments in interdisciplinary art making.
• Experience with engaging students in innovative curatorial programming.
• Teaching experience at the college or university level beyond graduate assistantships.
• Demonstrated interest in both inclusive and interdisciplinary education.
• Strong foundation in two or more of visual literacy, critical art theory, contemporary art history, and socially engaged work.
• Experience engaging students working across disciplines in thinking critically about their creative research and scholarship.
• Experience working with students to curate exhibitions and socially engaged programming.
• Focus on contemporary art research methods, interdisciplinary practice, and community outreach.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Experience working with and mentoring graduate teaching assistants.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and equitable pedagogy.
• Experience with community‑engaged design or collaborative projects.
• Experience with curriculum development and interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within varied beliefs and identities.
• Seeks opportunities to gain experience in diverse, inclusive settings with a willingness to improve.

Professional Standards of Conduct

At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner that maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. Applicants must comply with the PSU Professional Standards of Conduct.

Total Compensation and Benefits

The starting annual salary is $74,016, subject to negotiation based on experience, skills, market parity, and internal equity. Benefits include 95% premium‑paid healthcare, a generous retirement plan, vacation package, and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse, or dependents at Oregon University System schools.

For more information, use the total compensation calculator.

Application Instructions

Submit the following:

• Letter of interest (upload under “Cover Letter”).
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy.
• Statement of Teaching Interest.
• Statement of Research (Creative Practice) Interest.
• Visual, written or creative works (7‑15 uploads). Upload under “Work Sample”.
• 10 examples of student work (upload under “Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness”).
• Three references, including name, email, and phone number.

Visual samples should be combined into a single, multipage PDF and include a URL to a single website.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Questions

For questions concerning the position description, contact the Search Chair, Assistant Professor Kat Richards at katr@pdx.edu.

For questions about the application process contact Ellen Wack at wacke@pdx.edu.

For application upload issues contact Human Resource Center at askhrc@pdx.edu.

Reference Requests

References: Minimum 3, maximum 3.

Supplemental Questions

• Do you have a terminal degree (Ph.D. or M.F.A.) in your discipline?
  • Yes
  • No
• Please name the specific field/discipline in which you received your degree.
  • Open Ended Question
• How did you first find out about this position?
  • PSU website
  • Indeed
  • Chronicle of Higher Education
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • HERCJobs
  • Referral
  • Professional Listserv – please specify in comment box.
  • Professional Journal – please specify in comment box.
  • Other – please specify in comment box.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled.